Load-handling apparatus including portable perch



June 3, 1969 H. sAusE, JR 3,447,701

LOAD-HANDLING APPARATUS INCLUDING PORTABLE PERCH Filed Feb. 13, 196'? Henry Scuse Jr; A

BY JNVENTOR /QZV ,QM

HH s.

United States Patent O 3,447,701 LOAD-HANDLING APPARATUS INCLUDING PORTABLE PERCH Henry Sause, Jr., 3829 NE. Flanders, Portland, Oreg. 97232 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 594,196, Nov. 14, 1966. This application Feb. 13, 1967, Ser.

Int. Cl. B65g 43/00, 65/08, 15/28 U.S. CI. 214-38 9 `Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part of an .application iled Nov. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 594,196, now U.S. Patent 3,389,775.

This invention relates to load-handling apparatus, and more specically to apparatus designed temporarily to support a load placed thereon during transshipment of the load between adjacent locations, usually at different elevations.

Generally an object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus for such transshipment of loads comprising an elevated perch supported on a stanchion, the perch comprising means defining a support platform upon which loads may be deposited by an agency traveling on one location prior to being picked up by an agency traveling on the other location.

The unloading and loading of cargo from a ship with lift trucks represents a typical application for the loadhandling apparatus contemplated. The same lift truck which handles the load on the deck of the ship cannot carry such directly to the dock since the deck and dock are usually at such substantially different elevations as to prevent the ready installation of a gangplank or other bridge between the two capable of carrying vehicular traic. The invention, therefore, will be described in connection with a shipping operation, although it should be understood that it is not desired to be limited to a specific use as obviously the apparatus contemplated has advantages in other operations where similar problems are involved.

Another object of the invention is to provide loadhandling apparatus of the type described including a perch supported on a stanchion constructed in such a manner as to permit ready disassembly for storage purposes. This is a particularly desirable feature in the loading and unloading of cargo vessels, since it enables the apparatus to be stored on the vessel .and carried from port to port for use where conditions dictate.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the means described dening the platform for supporting a load comprising a pair of elongated, substantially horizontal arms which project out to opposite sides of a stanchion which supports the .arms in an elevated position. One set of projecting ends of the arms forms a cantilever load support for supporting a load at a point spaced out from the stanchion as, for instance, over a dock in a position for a forklift or other vehicle to pick up the load. The other set of projecting ends of the arms forms .a cantilever load support extending from the stanchion and overlying,

for instance, the deck of the vessel. A load is readily deposited with a forklift upon this other set of projecting ends of the arms without the stanchion impeding such loading. The preferred embodiment of the invention further features conveyors on the two arms extending along their lengths operable to transport a load positioned on the arms adjacent one set of ends toward the opposite set of ends of the arms.

Further, a more specific Afeature and object of the invention is the provision of load handling apparatus including a perch which is readily altered to change the elevation in which the perch is carried by the stanchion. To this end the preferred embodiment of the invention features a stanchion which is disconnectable at its top from the perch and disconnectable at its base from the support for the stanchion, such as the deck. Thus, the substitution of stanchions of different lengths is possible to change the height of the perch.

Still other .and related objects and features are the provision of novel means permitting lifting of the perch from the top of the stanchion to facilitate its disassembly, and novel socket means mounting the perch on the top of the stanchion and the stanchion on the surface supporting it.

These and other objects and advantages are .attained by the invention and the same is described hereinbelow in conjunction with accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevation of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the apparatus in operative position on the deck of a ship;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. l; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1 and on a somewhat larger scale.

Referring now to the drawings, as shown generally at 10 in dashed outline are portions of a ship having a deck 10a. The ship is illustrated moored beside a dock, portions of which are shown in dashed outline at 14. The apparatus contemplated is for the purpose of facilitating the transfer of a load between the two locations represented by the deck and the dock, using lift trucks.

As is frequently the case when loading cargo on a ship, the deck of the ship and the dock are at distinctly different elevations. While the deck is shown at a lower elevation than the dock, in some operations this condition may be reversed with the ships deck at a higher elevation than the dock.

Load-handling apparatus as contemplated herein is shown generally at 16. In general terms, such comprises an elongated stanchion 18, and what is referred to herein as a perch 20 supported on the top of the stanchion.

The stanchion illustrated is in the form of an elongated hollow pillar of substantially rectangular cross section with plates such as those shown at 20a forming the sides, and frame structure within the stanchion such as that shown at 20b bracing the side plates and making the stanchion rigid. The base of the stanchion is open and in this way the side plates 20a define at the stanchion base a cavity or recess 22 of substantially rectangular cross section.

To permit mounting of the stanchion on the deck with the same in a stable position, a block 24 is provided which is fixed to the deck in a suitable manner. Block 24 has a rectangular cross section substantially matching the cross section of cavity or recess 22. With the stanchion in place as shown in FIG. 1, the recess and block constitute socket means holding the stanchion securely in place. If desired, pins such as pin 26 inserted through the side of the stanchion and block 24 may be used to prevent lifting of the stanchion from the block.

Perch 20, earlier referred to, comprises a pair of elongated parallel substantially horizontal load support arms 28, 30, which are used to convey a load and thus also constitute conveyer arms. Also part of the perch is a cross member 32 interconnecting the load support arms and means 34 adjacent the base of the perch for detachably mounting the perch on the top of stanchion 18.

As is best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, mounting means 34 comprises side plates 34a joined together and forming a hollow boxlike section with an open bottom. The side plates define within the boxlike section a recess of rectangular cross section matching the cross section of the upper end of the stanchion. The boxlike section ts over and sits on the upper end of the stanchion much in the same manner as does the lower end of the stanchion sit on block 24. If desired, pins such as pin 36 may be inserted through the boxlike section in the stanchion to prevent separation of the perch from the stanchion.

Cross member 32 which interconnects the two load support arms comprises side plates 32a, B2b, a bottom plate 32C (which extends over and rests on the top of the stanchion with the perch assembled as in FIG. 1) and a removable cover plate 32d shown partially broken away in FIG. 2. The side plates, bottom plate and cover plate define a chamber for housing machinery in the perch. The side plates and bottom plate are suitably joined together and interbraced whereby a rigid unit is formed of the plates.

Load support arms 28, are similar in construction and only one will be described in detail. Thus, and with reference to arm 28, each comprises a pair of matching elongated side plates such as side plates 28a, 28b shown in FIG. 1. The side plates are interbraced by means (not shown), with the plates spaced laterally apart from each other and essentially parallel. The inner of the plates, i.e., plate 28a of support arm 28, is joined to the cross member 32.

Each support arm is provided with a conveyor, more specifically an endless belt in the form of a conveyor chain, such as that shown at 40 for support arm 28 which is operated to move a load from one end of the arm to the other. The upper reach of this conveyor chain extends along the top of the support arm. Training the chain adjacent the opposite ends of the support arm are sprockets, such as sprockets 42, 44 suitably journaled in a support arm and located in the space between the side plates of the arm. The conveyor chain includes a lower reach extending between sprockets 42, 44 which travels in the space between the side plates, and is trained over an idler sprocket 46, a drive sprocket 48 and an idler sprocket 50.

The upper reaches of the conveyor chains for the two load support arms define a conveyor plane in the perch. As can be seen in FIG. 1 and with reference to chain 40, the upper reaches of these chains are spaced somewhat above the top of cover plate 32d of cross member 32. As a consequence, a space is provided below the level of this plane and above the cross member accommodating the insertion of the forks of a forklift truck.

The right set of ends of the load support arms 28, 30 in FIGS. 1 and 2 extends out to the right side of stanchion 18 and form cantilevers elevated above the dock. The left set of ends of the arms extend from the opposite side of the stanchion and form a pair of cantilevers disposed over the deck.

The perch further includes power-operated means operable when energized to mover conveyor chains for the two support arms simultaneously. Thus, mounted within the chamber defined by said plates 32a, 32b and bottom plate 32C of the cross member is an electric motor 52. This motor is connected by a chain and sprocket assembly 54 to a shaft 56, shaft S6 in turn being connected by a chain and sprocket assembly 58 to an elongated drive shaft 60 extending transversely between the load support arms. Drive sprocket 48 for conveyor chain 40 is mounted on one end of drive shaft 60 and a similar drive sprocket for the chain of support arm 30 is mounted on the opposite end of the drive shaft.

Secured to opposite ends of the load support arms are a pair of stops such as those shown at 62, 64 for support arm 28. Post portions 66 integral with the side plates of a support arm carry the stops in a position disposed above the support plane defined by the conveyor chain for the arm. The stops function to limit movement of a load carried by a conveyor chain beyond the ends of the support arms.

It is contemplated that suitable control means (not shown) be provided permitting a lift truck operator or other workman, either on the deck or on the dock, to energize electric motor 52 when desired, thus to produce movement of the conveyor chains. It is further contemplated that the electric motor be reversible, and that the control means provided enable the operator or operators to run the motor in either of opposite directions. In this way, when the load is deposited on the support arms adjacent their left set of ends in FIGS. l and 2, with suitabe actuation of the motor, the load may be transported toward the right set of ends of the arms and over the dock, and similarly with reverse operation of the motor, upon placing a load on the right set of ends of the arms, the load may be transported to a position over the deck. When a load comes against a set of stops, thus to have further movement stopped, and on continued running of motor 52, the upper reaches of the chains continue to travel while sliding under the load.

Mounted on opposed side plates 20a of the stanchion, and projecting in opposite directions outwardly therefrom, are a pair of lifting members such as the ones shown at 70 in FIGS. 1 and 3. The stanchion is of such a size as to enable it easily to be straddled by the forks of the usual lift truck. The members are adapted to be engaged on their undersides by such forks when in a position straddling the stanchion and on raising of the forks, thus to enable lifting of the stanchion from block 24. The forks of the lift truck can also be placed in a position straddling mounting means 34 at the base of the perch. Bottom plate 32C of member 32 projects laterally outwardly to opposite sides of means 34, and in this way with the forks of the truck straddling the mounting means and on raising of suck forks, they engage the underside of plate 32C enabling lifting of the perch from the top of the stanchion.

Explaining how the apparatus is employed and how it may be used in the transshipment of loads, in the moving of a load from the deck to the dock, a forklift truck or similar vehicle approaches the apparatus on deck 10a. The forks of the truck together with the load thereon are elevated above the elevation of the support arms. The truck is maneuvered to advance the lifting forks into the space between the load support arms. The forks may then be lowered to place the load on the conveyors of these arms, with the forks moving into the clearance space described between the top of the cross member and the base of the support plane defined by the conveyor chains. By operation of motor 52, and movement of the conveyor chains, such load may then be shifted over the dock. This load is readily removed by a lift truck traveling on the dock by the maneuvering of such truck so that its lifting forks are advanced into the space between the load support arms, and then raising of the forks to raise them against and lift the load. Transshipment from the dock to the deck of the vessel is done similarly with the load first being deposited on the ends of the load support arms -by a' forklift truck on the dock, and such load moved over the deck by reverse operation of the conveyors.

The apparatus is readily disassembled and stored. Thus, when using a forklift truck, the perch may first be lifted upwardly from the stanchion to separate these elements, and then the stanchion may be lifted from the block 24. Dismantled, the apparatus is readily stored on the vessel during periods of nonuse.

A particular feature of the invention is that the apparatus may be readily modified to promote most efflcient load transfer at any given dock facility. Further explaining, it is contemplated that a number of stanchions be provided, similar in construction, but having different lengths. With such an organization, and where the difference in elevation between the deck and dock is not excessive, a relatively short stanchion might be employed just sufficient to put the perch where its load support arms are only slightly above the higher of the two locations involved. With a short stanchion, the amount of lifting that must be done by a lift truck on the lower elevation is minimized.

If desired, electric limit switches may be incorporated with stops 62, 64 adjacent the ends of a load Support arm, which are actuated on a load reaching a stop to stop motor S2 and movement of the conveyor chains.

Further, stanchion 18 may be altered to provide extensibility therein, such as providing telescopic sections which are relatively extended by actuation of a ram. With such an organization, changes may be made in the elevation of the perch, to accommodate changes in the level of the deck of the vessel relative to the dock such as occur with tidal ebb and flow, and changes in the draft of the vessel, resulting from a change in the load carried thereby.

While an embodiment of this invention has been described, it should be obvious that variations are possible without departing from the invention. It is desired, therefore, to cover all such modifications and variations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Load-handling apparatus adapted to support a load during transshipment between two adjacent locations comprising, in operative position, a stanchion extending upwardly from one of said two locations, and perch means mounted on the upper end of said stanchion comprising a pair of laterally spaced-apart elongated substantially horizontal load-supporting conveyor arms extending laterally outwardly from at least one side of said stanchion and having upper conveyor surfaces defining a conveyor plane, said arms having opposed sets of ends and at each of said opposed sets of ends defining a void between them which extends through said conveyor plane which void accommodates a lifting agency used to deposit a load on the arms, said arms forming cantilevers over the other of said two locations, and means for producing movement of a load on said conveyor plane defined by said conveyor surfaces.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein socket means is provided adjacent the lower end of said stanchion releasably mounting the stanchion on said one location.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stanchion includes means at the base thereof defining an open cavity, and an element projects up from and is secured to said one location, which is adapted to be received Within said cavity.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said perch means further comprises a cross member interconnecting said conveyor arms and said cross member comprises means detachably received on said stanchion detachably securing the perch to the stanchion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said conveyor arms also extend laterally outwardly from the side of said stanchion opposite its said one side, and stop means is provided on said arms where they extend out from said opposite side of the stanchion for limiting movement of a load placed on said arms longitudinally of said arms.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each of said conveyor arms includes a movable conveyor belt extending longitudinally of the arm and the means for producing movement of a load comprises motor means for driving the belts of said arms whereby the belts are operated to move a load on said arms longitudinally of said arms.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said stanchion comprises a pair of lifting members which project from opposing sides of the stanchion, said members being adapted to be engaged by lift means thus to facilitate mounting and dismounting of said stanchion on said one location.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said cross member is disposed below said conveyor plane whereby a space is provided over the cross member to accommodate placement of liftforks between said cross member and said conveyor plane.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor arms extend as cantilevers from opposite sides of said stanchion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,268,092 8/1966 Hainer et al. 2141 3,285,435 11/1966 Black et al. 214-15 3,341,034 9/1967 Blasen 214-14 ROBERT G. SHERIDAN, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. XR. 198-129, 233; 214-14 

